Accumulating and straightening device



4 Sheets-Sheet l m 09. M W

V. l l. MJ m Qu n u 0 m 4 \I {g m" 8 M flu .a q

I n I a l w M April 5, 1960 A. F. SHIELDS ACCUMULATING AND STRAIGHTENING DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1958 APril 1960 A. F. SHIELDS 2,931,520

ACCUMULATING AND STRAIGHTENING DEVICE Filed NOV. 20, 1958 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 44 55,6 7' E fl 405 W 4 April 5, 1960 A. F. SHIELDS ACCUMULATING AND STRAIGHTENING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV- 20. 1958 IMMHO April 5, 1960 A. F. SHIELDS ACCUMULATING 'AND STRAIGHTENING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 20, 1958 STOP 7 F m M a a y s w lllllll Q m Ll. mm R5 a u u E R r L O P INVENTOR. AL .6587 E fry/6Z4! United States Patent 2,931,520 ACCUMULATING AND STRAIGHTENING DEVICE Albert F. Shields, Forest Hills, N.Y., assignor to S & S

Corrugated Paper Machinery Company, Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application November 20, 1958, Serial No. 775,199" 18 Claims. (Cl. 214-6) This invention is an improvement of blank stacking, straightening, and delivery device described in my copending application Serial No. 645,801 filed March 13, 1957, and assigned to the assigneeof the instant invention.

In the aforesaid copending application two sets of up- .wardly moving belts and utilized as the straightening and .and trailing edges of the blanks are engaged by the belts so that the blanks remain in a horizontal position and form a stack which is fed from below. A delivery device, coordinated with the operation of both the folding machine and stacking device is included to periodically remove a pile of blanks from the top of the stack and deliver the pile to a horizontal conveyor.

The upwardly moving belts of my aforesaid copending application are continuous members having the flights thereof which engage the edges of the blanks substantially parallel to each other. Flat plates are positioned behind each of the aforesaid flights to prevent sagging thereof. With this construction a severely misaligned blank leaving the folding machine is often bent because of the sudden engagement by the belts and edgewise squeezing applied thereby.

The instant invention overcomes this undesirable featture by positioning the blank engaging flights so that they converge as they move upward. At their bottom ends these flights are spaced apart a distance greater than the distance between the leading and trailing edges of the blank. The forcing of the succeeding blanks into a position at the bottom of the stack lifts the bottom blanks upward until both their leading and trailing edges are engaged by the belts. Thereafter the converging flights apply a gradually increasing squeezing force acting between the leading and trailing edges which forces the panels of the blank into alignment and also applies a lifting force to the blanks.

In the region near the top of the belts the squeezing force applied by the belts causes the blanks to arch since the blank engaging flights of the belts are, in this region, positioned closer together than the distance between the leading and trailing edges of a properly aligned blank. As the blanks move to the region beyond the upper ends of the belts, the leading and trailing edges of the blanks are engaged by oppositely stepped members. Thus, as the blanks move upward beyond the belts the squeezing force is relaxed in gradual stages.

Another undesirable effect is caused by the continuous engagement between the belts and the edges of the blank aligned panels thereof have a composite motion applied thereto. That is, as a blank moves upward between the belts the misaligned panels appear to be pivoted so that they have a component of motion lateral to the horizontal delivery path in a horizontal plane. This lateral movement causes the edges of, the panels to scrape against one or more of the belts causing rapid wear to these belts and damage to the blank.

The instant invention eliminates this undesirable effect by constructing the flight support plates of at least one set of belts, with depressions so that as theflights move upward the squeezing force exerted by the belts is alternately relaxed and applied in a kneading action. During the periods of pressure relaxation the lateral movement of the misaligned panels with respect to the belts may take place without damage to either the belts or the blank.

Each set of belts comprises a plurality of parallel belts with each belt of one set'having an individual support plate. As a refinement to the kneading action described in the preceding paragraph, the' depressions in adjacent support plates are positioned out of vertical alignment, or out of phase. Thus as half of the belts in a set are applying full pressure to a blank the remaining belts have relaxed at that point so as not to exert pressure on that blank. In this way a positive lifting force is always being applied to the blank while providing for lateral movement of the misaligned panels.

In the device of my aforesaid copending application the faces of the belts were comprised of canvas, rubber or a synthetic material of relatively high friction. Through repeated engagement with the edges of the blanks the belts are rapidly deteriorated.

My present invention provides belts which are comprised of transverse rigid metallic or plastic slats secured to chain links. The chains are driven by sprockets which are arranged in a manner such that the teeth of adjacent sprockets are out of alignment. Looking laterally across the device in the region of the lower sprockets, the slats of alternate chains are in line with the spaces between slats of the other chains. This construction prevents the blanks from being caught between separated slats, in the region where the chain is engaged with the lower sprockets, and being damaged as the slats are brought into abutting relationship as the chin is backed up by its support rail.

Yet another problem arises when utilizing an accumulating means which moves the folded blanks vertically. This problem concerns itself with the periods. of time during which the accumulator is stopped for one reason or another. As the blanks are conveyedupwardly by the belts the blanks are in spaced apart relationship except for the few blanks at the bottom of the stack. As to those blanks in spaced apart relationship there is no force being applied to maintain the glued flap in contact with its cooperating panel. If the device is stopp d for any length of time the glue on the blanksin the device will dry without firmly bonding the flap to its cooperating panel thereby resulting in a box which is so defective as to be completely unusable for its intended purpose.

In order to overcome this undesirable effect one set of belts as well as the guide and support means therefore are mounted to a pivoted support. A biasing means is provided which urges this set of belts away from the other set of belts and a pneumatic means is provided to overcome this biasing means 'and urge the pivotally mounted set of belts toward the other set of belts to an operating position. i

The pneumatic means includes a control which is coordinated with the start-stop control of the accumulating device. When the device is stopped the pneumatic means is automatically deactuated thereby permitting the biasing means to move the pivotally mounted set of belts away from the other set of belts. Now the leading and trailing edges'of the blanks in the device are no longer engaged by the belts so that the force of gravity forces the stack to fall to the stationary horizontal conveyor below the space between the sets of belts. In this position a downward pressure is applied to each flap by the weight of the upper portion of the stack as well as the weight hold-down strips resting on the top of the stack. 7

When the device is started the pneumatic means is automatically actuated so that the sets of belts now engage the leading and trailing edges of most of the blanks in the stack and the accumulating operation begins anew.

This pneumatic arrangement insures that the flaps of the folded blanks issuing from the device will be firmly bonded to their cooperating panels.

easies j Accordingly, a primary object of the instant invention is to provide a novel improved blank accumulating and itrlaightening device utilizing vertically positioned moving e ts.

Another object is to provide a backing plate, having depressions therein, for the support of the portions of the belts engaging the blanks so as to accomplish straightening with a kneading action.

Still another object is to position the belts which engage the leading and trailing edges of the blanks in converging relationship from bottom to top so that the straightening forces will be applied gradually.

A further object is to arrange the belts at their lower ends, or entrance, a greater distance apart than the distance between the leading and trailing edges of a mis aligned blank.

A still further object is to provide oppositely facing stepped members adjacent to the belts at their upper ends, or exit, whereby the squeezing force applied to the blanks is relaxed in gradual stages.

Yet another object is to utilize a belt comprised of transverse rigid slats mounted to chain links.

Still another object is to drive the chains by means of sprockets, with the teeth of adjacent sprockets being outof phase in order to prevent the blanks from entering the spaces between slats. V

A still further object is to provide novel automatic means connected to the start-stop control of the accumulator to assure that all glued flaps are secured bonded to their cooperating panels even thoughthe accumulator is stopped for extended intervals of time.

These as well as other objects of the instant invention shall become readily apparent after reading the follloging description of the accompanying drawings in w 1c Figure 1 is a side elevation of the mechanism of the present invention showing how the blanks are received,

straightened, stacked and delivered.

Figure 2 is an end view of the accumulating section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a cross-section of the delivery section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustrating the orientation of the upwardly moving flights of the accumulator belts.

Figures 5 and 5A are side elevations illustrating a mounting, of the rear belts, whose operation is coordinated with the driving means for the belts. In Figure 5 the rear belts are in an operating position while in Figure 5A the rear belts are in a non-operating position.

Figure 5B is a wiring schematic showing the coordination between the motor driving the belts and the control for positioning the mounting for the rear belts.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a stepped support member. a

'Figure 6A is a side elevation showing silent chain links and a belt section of slat construction mounted. to the support member of Figure 6.

Figure 6B is a side elevation illustrating an out of phase arrangement for adjacent support members.

Figure 6C is a side elevation of a section of chain with slats secured thereto.

Figure 6D is a rear view of Figure 6C looking in the direction of arrows 6D6D.

Figure 7 is a side elevation illustrating chain guide sprockets mounted in out of phase relationship.

Figure 8 is a plan view of an unstraightened folded box blank.

Referring now to the drawings, driving power is supplied by variable speed drive 10, preferably an electric motor which may also drive the preceding mechanism such as a folding and gluing machine 17. The output of variable speed drive 10 is used to drive the conveyor 11, the delivery unit 12 and the accumulating device 13 in synchronism. However, the speed of the delivery unit 12 may be varied independently of the conveyor speed by. means of gear box 14 in order to adjust the number of folded blanks to be removed with each stroke of pusher 15. In a similar manner, the speed of the accumulating device 13 may be varied independently of the speed of conveyor 11 by means of gear box 16 in order to accommodate straightened folded blanks 100 of varying thickness.

Sprocket wheel 21, riding on shaft 20 of variable speed drive 10, is connected through chain 30 to appropriate gearing mechanism 23-27 which is provided to convey the unstraightened folded blank 99 forward in the space 29 below continuous movable belt 40, which is positioned vertically, and thereby causes stack 31 to be added to from below. The conveyor 11 is driven by sprocket wheel 32 operatively connected to variable speed drive 10 by means of chain 33. Belt 34' rides on sprocket wheel 32 and further rides on idlers 3438 as well as idler 39 which is part of tension adjustment 41. Belt 34' is sloped at 35 thereof so as to permit the entry of blanks 99 to the stack 31 from beneath.

A manual height adjustment of the entry space 29 is accomplished by wheel 50 which is secured to the frame of the mechanism at 60 by adjustment of threaded member 51 which is supported by rigid frame extension 61. The size of entry space 29 is varied in accordance with the thickness of the blanks 99 being received from the prior mechanism 17.

In order to adjust the accumulating device 13 for the lengthof blank 99 being received from the preceding mechanism 17, hand wheel 63 is provided to control the longitudinal position of movable frame member 57 on which continuous movable belt is supported. Hand wheel 63 drives chain 64 which in turn drives members 65 which are rotatably mounted on frame 60. Idlers 67 are positioned to insure good driving engagement between chain 64 and members 65. Members 65 are internally threaded to receive threaded shafts 66 which are secured to movable frame member 57 at 68.

Chain 65' is connected between gear box 14 and sprocket wheel 24 to provide the operative connection between variable speed drive 10 and delivery unit 12.

Driver member 72 is engaged by chain 65 and through a series of gears, illustrated as 73, is made to engage and drive one of a plurality of gears 74a, b, c or d. This mechanism is encased in gear box 14 and is illustrative of one well-known common variable speed mechanism.

Gear members 74a74d are secured to shaft wheels 77a and 77b which extend from opposite sides of gear box 14. The take-off mechanism 12 is symmetrical about the center line of Figure 3 with the left side being driven by shaft wheel 77a and the right side being driven at the same'speed by shaft wheel 77b. Since the mechanism to the left and right of the center line of Figure 3 is symmetrical, only the right side will be described, it being understood that'the left side is the mirror image thereof.

Shaft wheel 77b drives chains 79 and 80 which in turn drive sprocket wheels 81 and 82 respectively. Sprocket wheel 81 is mounted on shaft 85 aflixed to frame 60, which is common to sprocket wheel 83 so that sprocket wheels 82 and 84 being mounted on common shaft 86 will rotate in unison. Continuous chain 87 passes over sprocket wheels 83 and 89 and is driven by the former in response to the rotation of gear member 74. Similarly, chain 88 passes over sprocket wheels 84 and 90 to be driven by the former.

Chains 87 and 88 carry bushing members 91 and 92 respectively. Shafts 93 and 94 are secured to bushing members 91 and 92 respectively by set screws 95 and 96. Support plate 97 is pivotally mounted to both shafts 93 and 94 to insure that support plate 97 remains vertical throughout its path of travel, and particularly when pusher plate 15 engages the stack 31. Support plate 97 is secured at two upper and two lower points to prevent any lateral tilting thereof as well as to prevent longitudinal tilting thereof.

Pusher plate 15 is secured to support plate 97 by means of wheels 181a, b, c, d which are adapted to ride on the edges 182 and 193 of support plate 97. Ears 184 and 185 at the bottom of support plate 97 serve to limit the downward movement of pusher plate 15. A Pusher plate 15 operates in synchronization with the -tstackingstraightening device 13 in order to periodically deliver a predetermined number of blanks. As pusher plate 15 moves forward to remove the top portion 31a of stack 31, the stack is continuously rising so that the top of the bottom portion 31b of the stack 31 engages the bottom 180 of pusher plate 15 forcing it to slide upward on rollers 181a, b, c, d.

The stacking and straightening section or accumulating device 13 comprises continuous movable belts 40, 140 oriented vertically or .transversely with respect to conveyor 11. Movable belts 40, 140 receive their driving power from Wheels 120 and-121, respectively. Wheel '120'is mounted on shaft 122 which also mounts wheel 123, while wheel 121 is mounted on shaft 124 which also mounts wheel 125. Chain or belt 126 passing around or over driver 127 and idlers 128zz-g engages wheels 12a and 121a, respectively. Driver 127 is operatively connected to variable speed drive 10 through gear box 16 which is of a similar design to gear box 14. Chain 230 interconnects variable speed drive 10 and gear box 16 While chain 231 interconnects gear box 16 and driver 127.

When a folded and glued blank 99 is transported forward by conveyor 11 blank 99 first rides on incline 35 so as to pass through space 29 between vertical belt 40 and incline 35. As blank 99 is moved forward it is forced under stack 31 until the forward motion of blank '99 is arrested when the leading edge thereof engages belt140.

As best seen in the schematic illustration of Figure 4, the working surfaces or upwardly moving flights 40a, 140a of belts 40, 140, respectively, are more widely spaced at the bottom than at the top. In fact the bottom spacing is greater than the distance between he leading and trailing edges of unstraightened folded blanks 99. Because of this the blanks 99 at the bottom of the stack 31 receive their initial upward motion by virtue of the fact that additional blanks 99 are forced into the stack 31 at the bottom thereof.

After a blank 99 has risen to a point where the spacing between flights 40a and 140a is equal to a slightly less than the" distance between the leading and trailing edges of the blank 99, the edges will be engaged by the upwardly moving flights 40a, 140a and the blank 99 will be conveyed upwardly by the belts 40, 140. As the unstraightened blanks 99 are raised by belts .40, 140 a gradual compression ,force is appliedacting between the leadingand trailing edges of blanks 99 by virtue ofthe fact that the flights 40a, 140a converge from bottom to top. By the time an unstraightened blank 99 reaches the top of flights 40a, 140a it is transformed into a straightened blank all the panels of which are properly aligned.

At the top of flights 40a, a straightened blanks 100 are either arched (as in Figure 4) or bowed (not shown) since the spacing at the top of flights 40a, 140a is less than the spacing between the leading and trailing edges of a straightened blank 100. In order to maintain the alignment of the blank panels the pressure causing this bowing must be gradually relaxed.

g This is accomplished by means of rear and front stepped members 290, 291 secured to the movable members of frame 60 and positioned at the top of flights 40a, 140a, respectively. The spacing between the bottom risers 292, 293 is slightly greater than the spacing at the top of flights 40a, 140a so that when folded blanks 100 rise above belts 40, 140 the pressure on blanks 100 is slightly relaxed. As the blanks 100 continue to rise the leading and trailing edges thereof are successively engaged by risers 295, 294 and risers 297, 296. Since the spacing between risers 294, 295 is greater than the spacing between risers 292, 293 and the spacing between risers 296, 297 is greater than the spacing between risers 294, 295 it is readily apparent that pressure on blanks 100 is gradually released in discrete steps by virtue of the oppositely facing stepped members 290, 291.

. Stack 31 is increasing in height by being fed from beneath until such time as the pusher plate 15 removes the top portion 31a thereof. Before pusher plate 15 engages stack 31, hold down strips and 191 are resting on the top of stack 31 to apply a downward pressure thereto so that the glued areas will remain in engagement. As the top 31a is being removed from the stack 31, the shorter strip 191 falls free of the top portion 31a and rests on bottom portion 31b thus insuring a continuous application of force to the top of the stack.

Strips 190 and 191 are preferably flexible members, each rigidly secured at one end 192 and 193 respectively to frame 60 by means of set screws 194 and 195 which are slidable in frame 60 so as to permit adjustment of the strips relative to each other and relative to the top end of vertical belts 40 and 140 in accordance with the number of blanks to be removed with each stroke of pusher plate 15.

A front guide means 200 is positioned at the leading edge of stack 31 adjacent to the top of front stepped member 291. Front guide means 200 engages the leading edge of the bottom portion 31b of stack 31 to prevent forward movement thereof when top portion 31a is engagsid by pusher plate 15 and moved forward off of the stac Front guide means 200 (Figure 1) comprises resilient members 201203 that are rigidly mounted in stepped relationship to movable frame member 57 by means of rivets (not shown). If the leading edge of bottom most blank 100 engaged by the pusher plate 15 is not at a height greater than the top edge 205 of guide means 200, one or more of the resilient members 201-203 will flex and permit this blank 100 to move forward without injury thereto. After this bottom blank 100 has risen above top edge 205 and has been driven off of stack 31, the resilient members 201-403 will return to their substantially vertical, at rest positions.

Aligned slots 210 and 211 in pusher plate 15 and support plate 97 respectively permit these members to pass over the accumulating section 13 without engaging holddown strips 190, 191 or front guide means 200. I

As blanks 99 are carried upward by flights 40a, 1401: these blanks are in a slightly spaced apart relationship so that little or no pressure is being applied to force glued flap 99a against cooperating panel. 99b to which flap .990

7 is; to be bonded. If the blanks 99 are maintained in this spaced apart: relationship the glue will set without securely bonding flap 99a to panel 99b thereby resulting in a box which is completely unsuited for most purposes let alone its intended purpose.

In order to prevent the above mentioned condition from arising, the device of the instant invention comprises, a pneumatically operated means 300 (Figures 5B) which is coordinated with variable speed motor 301 of drive 10 for belts 40, 140. Means 300 comprises bowl 302 mounted to frame 60 and covered by an inflatable diaphragm 303. Transversely extending channel 304 is biased into engagement with diaphragm 303 by means of tension spring 305 which is connected 'at one end thereof to frame 60 and at the other end thereof to projection 306 extending upwardly from channel 304.

Rod 307 extends forward from channel and at its forward end 308 is pivotally secured to pivoted member 310. Pivoted member 310 is mounted to frame 60 at pivot 309.

Rear movable belt 40 as well as the driving wheel 120, other wheels defining the path of belt 40, and rear stepped member 290 are all mounted to pivoted member 310 so as to move in unisontherewith.

Bowl 302 is connected through hoses 311 to a reservoir 312 for air under pressure. Solenoid operated valve 315 is interposed between bowl'302 and reservoir 312. When solenoid 314 of valve 315 is energized bowl 302 is connected to reservoir 312 and diaphragm 303 is inflated by the air from reservoir 312 which is under sufficient pressure to overcome the force of spring 305. This causes channel 304 to move horizontally to the right, with its movement being journaled by suitable means (not shown), thereby moving member 310 to the operating position of Figure 5. The operating position is determined by the abutment of pivoted member 310 against adjustable stop 327 which is mounted to threaded member 328 extending through a threaded aperture of frame 60.

When solenoid 314 is deenergized valve 315 interrupts the connection between bowl 302 and reservoir 312 and connects bowl 302 to the atmosphere through vent 313. Under these conditions spring 305 collapses diaphragm 303 moving member 310 counterclockwise about pivot 309 to the position of Figure 5A wherein the belt 140 is in an inoperative position. That is, flights 40a and 140a, along the entire lengths thereof, are spaced apart a distance greater than the distance between the leading and trailing edges of an unstraightened blank 99.

In this position the flights 40a, 140a offer no support to the blanks 99, 100 of stack 31 so that stack 31 will collapse and be supported by horizontal conveyor 11 with hold down strips 190, 191 providing a downward force which acts on every blank in stack 31. This forces all of the glued flaps 99a, their cooperating panels 99b to insure strong bonding therebetween.

The operation of pneumatic means 300 is coordinated with the operation of variable speed drive 10 by virtue of the fact that solenoid 314 is connected in electrical parallel with the terminals of motor 301. By momentarilyclosing normally open start switch 321 of start control 320 holding coil 322 closes normally open contacts. 323 which parallels start switch 321. This simultaneously completes the electrical circuits between electric power source 325 and valve solenoid 314 and between source 325 and motor 301. Thus, rotation of motor 301 is accompanied by an automatic movement of rear belt 40 to its operating position of Figure 5.

When thereafter, normally closed stop switch 326 is momentarily opened the circuit to holding coil 322 is interrupted and contacts 323 open. This interrupts the circuits between source 325 and solenoid 314 and between source 325 and motor 301. Thus, when motor 301 is halted this automatically results in a movement of rear belt 40 to its inoperative position of Figure 5A.

Valve solenoid 314 may be constructed to be delayed on drop out thereby compensating for the time that is required for motor 301 to coast to a stop.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, there are a front set of belts 140extending laterally across accumulating device 13 in spaced parallel relationship. Belts 140 comprise single continuous members, a fiat surface member 142 positioned to support upwardly moving flight 140a to prevent sagging thereof. Similarly, rear belts 40 are arranged in a set extending across accumulating device 13 in spaced parallel relationship and are prevented from sagging in the region of upwardly moving flights 40:: by support members 350 which are stepped for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

Now referring more particularly to Figures 6-8, each of the chains 40 comprises a plurality of transverse slats 351 constructed of a relatively rigid metal or plastic ma terial. Two identical angle brackets 352 are rigidly secured to each slat 351 by means of rivets 353 which ex,- tend through one leg of each bracket. The other leg of each bracket is provided with two extending portions 354, 355 each having an opening 356 therethrough. The bracket 352 of adjacent slats 351 are joined by means of pins 357, extending through openings 356, to form a continuous chain 360.

Sleeves 358 extend between the openings of the brackets 352 mounted to the alternate slats 351 on which the bracket legs are more closely spaced. Sleeve tyPe rollers 359 are freely mounted on sleeves 358 thereby providing chain 60 with rolling properties. Wheels and 12a, which define the path of belt 40, are in reality sprockets whose teeth are in mesh with chain 60.

The rollers 359 of chain 360 ride on the stepped edge of an individual support member 350 with the steps of adjacent members 350 being positioned out of phase. That is, while alternate support members occupy the solid line position of Figure 6B the remaining support members occupy the dotted line position of Figure 613.

Since the support members 350 are stepped the up Wardly moving flight 40a of belt 40 will have a series of depressions. This is readily seen in Figure 6A wherein slats 351d and 351g extend more to the right than slats 351b and 351i. Thus as a folded blank is conveyed upward by flights 40a, a the pressure applied by each of the belts 40 of the rear set will be gradually increased and then gradually decreased. Since adjacent support members 350 are out of phase a pressure increase in alternate edge areas will be accompanied by a pressure decrease in adjacent edge areas.

Let us consider badly misaligned blank 99, of Figure 8, to have leading edge 99c engaged by front flight 140a and trailing edge 99d to be engaged by rear flight 40a. In straightening folded blank 99 panel 99 appears to have a clockwise rotation and panel 99b a counterclockwise rotation with respect to Figure 8. Thus, the trailing edges of panels 99e, 99b each have lateral components of motion indicated by arrows A and B respectively. If alternate belts 40 are not operated out of phase these lateral components of motion cause extreme rubbing between the blanks 99 and the belts 40, 140 resulting in rapid wearing of belts 40, 140 and often resulting in damage to the edges of the folded blanks.

By operating belts 40 out of phase straightening of the blanks 99 is accomplished with a kneading action. That is, are so arranged that pressure is applied to alternate areas of the blank edges while pressure is relaxed on adjacent edge areas.

The areas of the belts applying pressure are forced to move laterally by the lateral components of force hereinbefore mentioned. When these areas relax they are free to move in a laterally opposite direction until these areas once again apply pressure. In this Way the net lateral movement of the belts is kept to a minimum. It is to be understood that any lateral movement of the belts is extremely limited since the width of the support member thereof in line.

9 edge closely approximates the spacing between angle brackets 352.

Since belt 40 is not a continuous member precautions must be taken to prevent the blank 99 from entering the spaces betweenslats 351, especially in the region of lower sprocket 12a, and thereafter being damaged as these spaces are closed. All of the lower sprockets 12a are keyed to a freely mounted common shaft 380 (Figure 7) with alternate sprockets 12a arranged with the teeth 381 The remaining sprockets 12a are arranged out of phase with the other sprockets. That is, the teeth 382 of the remaining sprockets are angularly displaced from the teeth 381 by an angle equal to 360 divided by two times the number of teeth of a sprocket --12a.

This sprocket arrangement results in placing the slats 351 of alternate belts 40 in line with one another. These slats are then in line with the spaces between slats of the remaining belts 40. Thus, the slats of alternate belts 40 will always be in engagement with the edge of the blank 99 thereby preventing the blank from entering the spaces between slats of the remaining belts 40.

While accumulating device 13 has been described having stepped support members, it is to be understood that the front set of belts 140 may include either or both of .the features as well as the out of phase features hereinbefore described.

Thus, I have provided a novel accumulating device which includes many features designed to improve the straightening function. This is accomplished by applying the straightening forces with a kneading action and by providing stepped members for gradually releasing the pressure on a straightened blank prior to delivery thereof.

1 My device further includes pneumatic means coordinated with the operation of the stacking belts whereby pressure is automatically maintained between the glued flap and its cooperating panel when the device is stopped thereby reducing the possibility of producing defective boxes.

Although I have here described preferred embodiment of my novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, and I therefore prefer to be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

I claim:

1. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a horizontal co'nveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive .blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said accumulating device .including a first and a second belt means each having 'upwardly moving flights operatively positioned to engage the leading and trailing edges of said blanks; support means operatively positioned abutting the flight surface -of said second belt means not in engagement with said blanks; said support means having periodic depressions .therein thereby enabling the engagement pressure between said flights and said blanks to be alternately .relaxed and applied.

2. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism .adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a horizontal con- .veyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; means operatively positioned above said accumulating device for periodically engaging and removing a top portion of said stack while leaving the bottom of said stack in said accumulating device; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly ing and trailing edges of said blanks; support means operatively positioned abutting the flight surface of said .second belt' means not in engagement with said blanks; said support means having periodic depressions therein thereby enabling the engagement pressure between said flights and said blanks to be alternately relaxed and applied.

3. A stacking and straightening mechanism for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a generally horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom and move said blanks in a flat position in a first or longitudinal direction along a ho'rizontal path; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor, said device including first and second belt means having upwardly moving flights for engaging therebetween the leading and trailing edges respectively of the blanks accumulated between said belts and move said blanks upwardly in said flat position to form a stack; said first and said second belt means being spaced along said horizontal path; said conveyor having a first portion thereof inclined upwardly in said first direction;-said first portion being operatively positioned below said second belt means so as to provide an opening beneath said second belt means for the entry of successive blanks therethrough; said flights extending in upwardly converging directions so as to apply a gradually increasing force acting between the leading and trailing edges of the blanks as they move upwardly between said flights.

4. A stacking and straightening mechanism for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a generally horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom and move said blanks in a flat position in a first or longitudinal direction along a horizontal path; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor, said device including first and second belt means having upwardly moving flights for engaging therebetween the leading and trailing edges respectively of the blanks accumulated between said belts and move said blanks upwardly in said flat position to form a stack; said first and second belt means being spaced along said horizontal path; said conveyor having a first portion thereof inclined upwardly in'said first direction; said first portion being operatively positioned below said second belt means for the entry of successive blanks therethrough; said flights extending in upwardly converging directions so as to apply a gradually increasing force acting between the leading and trailing edges of the blanks as they move upwardly between said flights; said flights at their lowermost regions being spaced apart a greater distance than the distance between the leading and trailing edges of said blanks.

5. A stacking and straightening mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a generally horizontal co'nveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom and move said blanks in a flat position in a first or longitudinal direction along a horizontal path; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned abo've said conveyor, said device including first and second belt means having upwardly moving flights for engaging therebetween the leading and trailing edges respectively of the blanks accumulated between said belts and move said blanks upwardly in said flat position to form a stack; said first and said second belt means being spaced along said horizontal path; said conveyor having a first portion thereof inclined upwardly in said first direction; said first portion being operatively positioned below said second belt means so as to provide an opening beneath said second belt means for the entry of successive blanks therethrough; a supsaid support means having periodic depressions therein. 6. A stacking and straightening mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks,

said mechanism comprising a generally horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom and move said blanks in a flat position in a first or longitudinal direction along a horizontal path; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor, said device including first and second belt means having upwardly moving flights for engaging therebetween the leading and trailing edges respectively of the blanks accumulated between said belts and move said blanks upwardly in said flat position to form a stack; said first and said second belt means being spaced along said horizontal path; said conveyor having a first portion thereof inclined upwardly in said first direction; said first portion being operatively positioned below said second belt means so as to provide an opening beneath said second belt means for the entry of successive blanks therethrough; a support means positioned abutting the flight surface of one of said belt means which does not engage said blanks; said support means having periodic depressions therein; one of said belt means comprising a plurality of parallel belts; said support means comprising members individual to each of said plurality of belts; a first and a second of said members each having some of said depressions distributed along the lengths thereof; the depressions of said first member being positioned out of phase with respect to the depressions of said second member.

7. A stacking and straightening mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a generally horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom and move said blanks in a fiat position in a first or longitudinal direction along a horizontal path; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor, said device including first and second belt means having upwardly moving flights for engaging therebetween the leading and trailing edges respectively of the blanks accumulated between said belts and move said blanks upwardly in said flat position to form a stack; said first and said second belt means being spaced along said horizontal path; said conveyor having a first portion thereof inclined upwardlyin said first direction; said first portion being operatively positioned below said second belt means so as to provide an opening beneath said second belt means for the entry of successive blanks therethrough; a support means positioned abutting the flight surface of one of said belt means which does not engage said blanks; said support means having periodic depressions therein; one of said belt means comprising a plurality of belts; each of said belts being comprised of a continuous chain having transverse slats secured to the links thereof which engage said blanks.

8. A stacking and straightening mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a generally horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom and move said blanks in a flat position in a first r longitudinal direction along a horizontal path; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor, said device including first and second belt means having upwardly moving flights for engaging therebetween the leading and trailing edges respectively of the blanks accumulated between said belts and move said blanks upwardly in said flat position to form a stack; said first and said second belt means being spaced along said horizontal path; said conveyor having a first portion thereof inclined upwardly in said first direction; said first portion being operatively positioned below said second belt means so as to provide tioned abutting the flight surface of one of said belt means which does not engage said blanks; said support means having periodic depressions therein; one of said belt means comprising a plurality of belts; each of said belts being comprised of a continuous chain having transverse slats secured to the links thereof which engage said blanks; said slats being comprised of rigid members.

9. A stacking and straightening mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a generally horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom and move said blanks in a flat position in a first or longitudinal direction along a horizontal path; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor, said device including first and second belt means having upwardly moving flights for engaging therebetween the leading and trailing edges respectively of the blanks accumulated between said belts and move said blanks upwardly in said flat position to form a stack; said first and said second belt means being spaced along said horizontal path; said conveyor having a first portion thereof inclined upwardly in said first direction; said first portion being operatively positioned below said second belt means so as to provide an opening beneath said second belt means for the entry of successive blanks therethrough; a support means positioned abutting the flight surface of one of said belt means which does not engage said blanks; said support means having periodic depressions therein; one of said belt means comprising a plurality of belts; each of said belts being comprised of a continuous chain having transverse slats secured to the links thereof which engage said blanks; each of said chains being driven by a sprocket individual thereto; each of said sprockets being driven by a common shaft; a first of said sprockets having the teeth thereof positioned out of phase with respect to the teeth of a second of said sprockets.

10. A stacking and straightening mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a generally horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom and move said blanks in a flat position in a first or longitudinal direction along a horizontal path; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor, said device including first and second belt means having upwardly moving flights for engaging therebetween the leading and trailing edges respectively of the blanks accumulated between said belts and move said blanks upwardly in said flat position to form a stock; said first and said second belt means being spaced along said horizontal path; said conveyor having a first portion thereof inclined upwardly in said first direction; said first portion being operatively positioned below said second belt means so as to provide an opening beneath said second belt means for the entry of successive blanks therethrough; a support means positioned abutting the flight surface of one of said belt means which does not engage said blanks; said support means having periodic depressions therein; one of said belt means comprising a plurality of belts; each of said belts being comprised of a continuous chain having transverse slats secured to the links thereof which engage said blanks; said support means comprising rails individual to each of said chains; a first and a second of said rails each having some of said depressions distributed along the lengths thereof; the depressions of said first rail being positioned out of phase with respect to the depressions of said second member.

11. A stacking and straightening mechanism for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a generally horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom and move said blanks in a fiat position in a first or longitudinal direction' along a horizontal path; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor, said device including first and second belt means having upwardly moving flights for engaging therebetween the leading and trailing edges respectively of the blanks accumulated between said belts and move said blanks upwardly in said flat position to form a stack; said first and said second belt means being spaced along said horizontal path; said conveyor having a first portion thereof inclined upwardly in said first direction; said first portion being operatively positioned below said second-belt means so as to provide an opening beneath said second belt means'for the entry of successive blanks therethrough; said flights extending in upwardly converging directions so as to apply a gradually increasing force acting between the leading and trailing edges of the blanks as they move upwardly between said flights; stepped means positioned adjacent to said flights at the upper ends thereof whereby the force acting between the leading and trailing edges is reduced in gradual stages.

12. A stacking and straightening mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a generally horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom and move said blanks in a flat position in a first or longitudinal direction along a horizontal path; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor, said device including first and second belt means having upwardly moving flights for engaging therebetween the leading and trailing edges respectively of the blanks accumulated between said belts and move said blanks upwardly in said flat position to form a stack; said first and said second belt means being spaced along said horizontal path; said conveyorhaving a first portion thereof inclined upwardly in said first direction; said first portion being operatively positioned below said second belt means so as to provide an opening beneath said second belt means for the entry of successive blanks therethrough; said flights extending in upwardly converging directions so as to apply a gradually increasing force acting between the leading and trailing edges of the blanks as they move upwardly between said flights; stepped means positioned adjacent to said flights at the upper ends thereof whereby the force acting between the leading and trailing edges is reduced in gradual stages; said stepped means being comprised of a first and a second spaced oppositely facing stepped members.

13. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks, said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positioned to engage the leading and trailing edges of said blanks; support means operatively positioned abutting the flight surface of said second belt means not in engagement with said blanks; said support means having periodic depressions therein thereby enabling the engagement pressure between said flights and said blanks to be alternately related and applied; said flights extending in upwardly converging directions so as to apply a gradually increasing force acting between the leading and trailing edges of the blanks as they move upwardly between said flights; stepepd means positioned adjacent to said flights at the upper ends thereof whereby the force acting between the leading and trailing edges is reduced in gradual stages; a support means positioned abutting the flight surface of one of said belt means which does not engage said blanks; said support means having periodic depressions therein; one of said belt means comprising a plurality of belts; each of said belts being comprised of a continuous chain having transverse slats secured to the links thereof which engage said blanks.

14. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box :blanks, said mechanism comprising a horizontal conpositioned above said accumulating device for periodically engaging and removing a top portion of said stack while leaving the bottom of said stack in said accumulating device; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positionable to engage the leading and trailing edges of said blanks; drive means for driving said belt means and guide means positioned to define paths for said belt means; movable means carrying one of said first and said second belt means; a first means operatively connected to said drive means for moving said movable means from a first to a second position; said first and said second belt means being spaced apart too far to engage said blanks when said movable means is in said first position; said first and said second belt means being positioned to engage said blanks when said movable means is in said second position.

' 15. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above saidrconveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; means operatively positioned above said accumulating .device for periodically engaging, and removing a top portion of said stack while leaving the bottom of said stack in said accumulating device; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positionable to engage the leading and trailing edges of said blanks; drive means for driving said belt means and guide means positioned to define paths for said belt means; movable means carrying one of said first and said second belt means; a first means operatively connected to said drive means for moving said movable means from a first to a second position; said first and said second belt means being spaced apart too far to engage said blanks when said movable means is in said first position; said first and said second belt means being positioned to engage said blanks when said movable means is in said second position; said movable means being in said first position when said belts are not being driven and in said second position when said belts are being driven.

16. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; means operatively positioned above said accumulating device for periodically engaging and removing a top portion of said stack while leaving the bottom of said stack in said accumulating device; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positionable to engage theleading and trailing edges of said blanks; drive means for driving said belt means and guide means positioned to define paths for said belt means; movable means car-- :for moving said movable means from a first to'a second position; said first and said second belt means being spaced apart too far to engage said blanks when-sai movable means is in said first-position; said first and said second belt means being positioned to engage said blanks when said movable means is in said second position; said movable means being in said first position when said belts are not being driven and in said second position when said belts are being driven; biasing means urging said movable means to said first position.

17. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating onbox blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom'in a flat position; an intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; means operatively positioned above said accumulating device for periodically engaging and removing a top portion of said stack while leaving the bottom of said stack in said spaced, apart too far to engage said blanks when said movable means is in said first position; said first and said second belt means being positioned to'engage said blanks when said movable means is in sald second position; said movable means being in said first position 'when said belts are not being driven and in said second position when said belts are being driven; biasing means urging said movable means to said first position; said 'first means comprising pneumatically operated means lautomaticallyactuatedwhen said belts are being driven and automatically deactuated when said belts are not being driven.

18. A stacking, straightening and delivery mechanism adapted for use with a machine for operating on box blanks; said mechanism comprising a horizontal conveyor operable in synchronism with said machine to receive blanks issuing therefrom in a flat position; an

intercepting and accumulating device operatively positioned above said conveyor to form said blanks into a stack which is fed from the bottom thereof; means operatively positioned above said accumulating device for periodically engaging and removing a top Portion of said stack while leaving the bottom of said stack in said accumulating device; said accumulating device including a first and a second belt means each having upwardly moving flights operatively positionable to engage the leading and trailing edges of said blanks; drive means for driving said belt means and guide means positioned to define paths for said belt means; movable means carrying one of said first and said second belt means; a first means operatively connected to said drive means for moving said movable means from a first to a second position; said first and said second belt means being spaced apart too far to engage said blanks, when said movable means is in said first position; said first and said second belt means being positioned to engage said blanks when said movable means is in said second position; support means operatively positioned abutting the flight surface of said second belt means not in engagement with saidblanks; said support means having periodic depressions therein thereby enabling the engagement pressure between said flights and said blanks to be alternately relaxed and applied.

No references cited. 

